ST. GEORGE – Fore! Get ready to kickoff at the greens and don some argyle socks as Southern Utah is introduced to the latest in multisport blends and trends – FootGolf. Combining the grace and traditionalism of golf with the power and blossoming popularity of soccer, FootGolf will make its Utah debut on July 26 at Southgate Golf Club, 1975 Tonaquint Drive.
The origins of this hybrid sport are vague but most accounts see it cropping up in Spain around 2008, it then made its way through Europe and South America, finally landing on United States soil in approximately 2011.
Locals Brendan Dalley and Brian Galvin caught the spirit and are heading up the Utah FootGolf movement.
“In the last couple years, specifically in the last year or so, FootGolf has really taken off,” Dalley said, “this will be the first event in the state of Utah.”
The rules and play of FootGolf align closely with golf, complete with hazards, and the winner is the person who completes all nine or 18 – depending on how many you play – holes in as few kicks as possible.
The game is played with a No. 5 size soccer ball which is kicked into a special 21-inch hole designed to lock the ball in place, Dalley said, and although the game is played on an actual golf course, the course is modified to accommodate the kicker; an 18-hole game is played in the physical space of a nine-hole course, Dalley said.
Additionally, like golf, FootGolf has an attire requirement. From the bottom up, players must wear indoor or turf soccer shoes – no cleats allowed – knee-high argyle socks, golf pants, shorts or skirts (for the women), a collared shirt and an optional flat cap or driver cap.
At first glance, FootGolf appears similar to its mixed-sport counterpart, frisbee golf, but, Dalley said, it is actually quite different.
“FootGolf is more interactive than frisbee golf, you get to play on an actual golf course,” Dalley said, “there is also the attire associated with it that makes it more structured.”
Despite its structure, a salute to golf’s traditional roots, Dalley insists that FootGolf is an exciting and fun up-and-coming sport.
“It’s quite the dynamic blend,” Dalley said, “it’s lots of fun, there is lots of laughing.”
Dalley sees great potential in FootGolf to be used as fundraisers for school soccer and golf teams and for corporate events, he said, and believes it is a great way for people to get to know one another in a fun and exciting environment.
July 26 tournament
The July 26 tournament will pit teams of four against each other in an 18-hole, shotgun style (each team starts on a different hole at the same time) shootout.
Registration is $40 per individual or $140 for a team of four and is open now. Participants who register individually will be assigned to a team.
Organizers hope to have at least 12 teams, Dalley said, and can accommodate up to 18 teams.
Registered players will receive drinks, T-shirts, stickers and their very own pair of knee-high argyle socks to complete their outfit.
For Galvin, a former high school soccer player, FootGolf is a dream come to fruition and he is excited to introduce it to Utah.
“As a youth, we would think about how cool it would be to play soccer on the golf course. The pristine greens and manicured landscape makes it a player’s dream,” Galvin said, adding, “it’s here, FootGolf is real and here to stay.”
Event details
-
When: Saturday, July 26, check-in begins at 7 a.m., kickoff is at 8 a.m.
-
Where: Southgate Golf Club, 1975 Tonaquint Drive
-
Registration: Register online here
-
Cost: $40 individual, $140 team of four
-
Additional information: Please see event website for rules and dress code
Related posts
- Desert beach scene, 2014 Virgin River Skimboard Classic; STGnews Photo Gallery
- Assessing city facilities; lack of soccer fields, competing demands?
- Colorful kites, eager kids raise $40,000 for school district at Dixie Power Kite Festival; STGnews Videocast
- Area golf courses reopen after record snow storm
- Golf in Washington County, 12 courses of green
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @STGnews
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2014, all rights reserved.
They can’t come up with soccer fields so they make the kids play soccer on the golf course? Wow….Pull up your big boys and big girl panties city and build a soccer complex!!!!
Kristin! Excuse me? Do you even live in St George?? Just wondering because if you did you would see all the nice soccer fields that the city has for us to enjoy and the surrounding cities. For your information Foot golf is a New sport that is played on Golf Courses. It gives the person the feel of Soccer and golf all in one! And it won’t be long until it is introduced in all academic schools and even Summer games. So its time for you to shut the TV off and head out side to see the beautiful Parks we have in this town!!
You had me right up until “must wear” and “argyle socks”. Golf takes itself way too seriously. Too bad that snootiness carried over into FootGolf. Other than that it sounds quite fun.